/ Pranayama
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Breathwork—or pranayama—can be extremely powerful. As you move through your Kundalini Yoga journey, you will come across a wealth of technology that can help you enhance aspects of your everyday life.
Segmented breathing is one of the most effective approaches you can use. This remarkable activity can help you boost your energy, gain more focus, and even stabilize your moods.
Luckily, getting started with this type of breathwork doesn’t have to be hard. No matter how long you have been on your personal journey, you should find that you can get to grips with this activity.
Benefits of Segmented Breathing
- Stimulates the central brain and glandular system
- Encourages mindfulness
- Gives positive energy
- Offers a boost in moods
- Helps you to find your focus
- Supports a sense of inner peace
- Helps you manage hard emotions
How to do Segmented Breathing
Segmented breathing is all about diving up your inhales and exhales. Between each of the inhales or exhales, you will need to slightly suspend your breath. Each segment needs to have a distinct start and end point.
Through segmented breathing, you can stimulate the central brain and glandular system. Put simply, that means that you can reap a whole world of benefits when you engage in this activity.
Getting started doesn’t have to be hard. Rather than breathing in smoothly, you should break your inhale into segments or ‘sniffs’. Avoid closing the nostrils when you segment your breathing.
Each segment should be a single strike that is relaxed and purposeful. Keep in mind that you are trying to stimulate a certain set of nerves when you engage in segmented breathwork.
Throughout your breathing practice, you should keep your nostrils relaxed at all times. Keep your attention on the air passages as you breathe in and the natural movement of your diaphragm.
Different Types of Segmented Breathing
Whether you’re looking to find your inner calm, focus your attention, or boost your energy, there’s a segmented breathing approach for you. The different ratios give different results.
For that reason, it’s important that you choose your ratios wisely. Here are some of the most effective approaches you can try:
- Energizing segmented breathing = Four parts in and one part out
- Alertness segmented breathing = Four parts in and one part out
- Calming segmented breathing = Eight parts in and eight parts out
- Focusing segmented breathing = Eight parts in and four parts out
- Unblocking segmented breathing = Four parts in and eight parts out
Keep in mind that not all ratios will work for you. When you’re engaging in segmented breathwork, follow the above guidelines on ratios. Trying to make up your own may not give you the effects that you desire.
When you first start out with segmented breathing, you might find controlling your breaths difficult. However, it’s important to keep trying. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. You’ve got this!
Continue Your Kundalini Yoga Journey!
Ready to continue your Kundalini Yoga journey? Engaging in your daily personal practice and finding the technology that works for you is the way to go. Keep moving forward and see what works for you.
